Low Skill Manufacturing Work: from skill biased change to technological Regression / Niedrig qualifizierte Industriearbeit: vom qualifikationsbeeinflussten Strukturwandel zur technologischen Regression

Abstract The theory of the Knowledge Based Society posits a decline of employment both in manufacturing industry and in low skill work generally. The paper explores the logic of this argument and presents possible criticisms. Firstly, computerisation does not remove the need for unskilled but non-routine work in industry. Secondly, when employers can use easily controlled labour (such as new immigrants) this may mean technological stagnation or even regression - and the continuation of unskilled work. In the extreme third case, immigration can even allow the expansion of new forms of low skill manufacturing.